The Washington critic., 1887-05-26
eg-THB CRITIC is for salc in Now York by
BreDtano & Co., Union Square.
WASHINGTON, MAY 90, 1887.

WASHlNblON, MA L ~, 1901.
AS TO commercial union between the
United States and Canada, the agita.
tion of which has lately received Wig
orous impulse, letter of much public
interest was published in q recent issue
of the Philadelphia american, from
Hon. Richard w. Townshend of ILL.,
nois, in which he takes strong ground
in favor OF closer relations with the
Dominion. Mr.. Townshend has been
for several years tast the earnest advo.
cate of the formation of customs
union on this continent, similar to
the German Iollvrrciu. but has
hitherto limited its application TO the
republics south of IL, aud The Empire of
Brazil. lie Is now fully convinced
that the proposition is equally appllca.
bic to Canada, and in fact, has always
been of that opinion, but for fear that
the proposed arrangement might not
be practicable in that direction, owing
to the adverse influence of the mother
government, he has had little to say on
this branch Of the subject. lie Is
lately informed. however, that free
commerce with Canada may be secured
with the consent of the home govcrn-
ment, or at least, without its eifectual
opposition. Upon this point he writes:
Aside from n common nationality every
argument that can be urged for free trade
among our States, can with equal propriety
ba I'D in fAf al Al
with Canada and 1t may be confidently ex-
peoted that similar advantages to the peace,
prosperity and happiness of both countries
will follow such an arrangement. A double
line Of custom houses between Ontario and
New York is us unwse and Injurious to both
es custom houses would be II placed between
Indiana and kentucky. Indeed all reasona
BILE men on this side the Atlantic must ad
nit that commerce upon the st. Lawrence and
the great lakes should be as unrestricted for
the people on their borders as 1t is to those on
the Mississippi aud tho Ohio. A
commercial union with Canada and the
Southern countries is the surest and most
efectual means that can be adopted to en-
large our foreign markets, rebuild our mer-
chant marine and navy, develop our re-
sources and employ our surplus capital and
labor.
These opinions, so forcibly and we'll.
expressed, are rapidly gaining ground
among leading representatives of both
political parties. They may not all
agree in details, but they all look for.
ward to the same result. Ex-Secretary
Manning and Mr.. Butterworth are not
far apart on this question, and though
Mr.. Townshend Is well at the front,
he has an active and influential follow.
Ing not far behind him.
The burning of the Opera Comlque
In Paris last night, shocking as the
fatality undoubtedly Is, might have
been much worse. Many lives were
saved by the lowering Of the iron stage
curtain, and many were lost through
causes which 1t seems impossible to
provide against. So long as there are
open windows to leap from, some peo.
pie are certain to seek this road to
death; some become paralyzed with
fear, others wild and uncomfortable.
There Is no safety appliance known
that can call panic stricken crowd to
halt. In this case, however, the au.
dience appears TO have retained It's pres.
ence of mind TO degree unusual uu-
der such alarming circumstances. The
shutting off of the flames from the stage
was what saved the spectators, but the
actors, supernumeraries and employees
In the rear were not so fortunate. It
was here that the greater number Of
casualties occurred. The loss of the
theatre itself, widely known and cele-
brated as 1t was, is not to be deplored.
1t was old and dangerous, and Is well
ont Of the way.
'TwAsa pretty warm day yesterday,
but not quite hot enough for soldiers to
draw the color line. Our friends from
Vicksburg should have settled this
question before they came to Washing.
ton. To camp with the colored folks
and drill with them, and then get their
backsup because colored company
happened to be In close proximity to
them in the grand parade, was neither
sensible nor soldier.like. We can
assure them that the President of the
United States would have formed a
much higher opinion of the Southrons II
they had staid In the line and marched
up to the rack with the rest of the
boys. Little prejudices that are en-.
tirely pardonable In a social way
should be sent whistling down tue
winds on purely military occasion
like this.
ANOTHER eight-pagc edition of THE
Critic will be Issued ON Saturday
next. Intending advertisers should, II
possible, send in their orders by Friday
evening. or early Saturday morning at
the furthest, in order to secure inser.
tion. A large numher of advertise
ments had 10 be declined last week on
account of the late hour at which they
were received.
THE pyroramic exhibition at the
National Drill grounds last evening
was noisy and brilliant success The
programme was carried through with.
out mishnp or interruption, and to the
great delight of many thousands of
people. This wonderful pyrotechule
display will be repeated this evening,
and nobody SHOULD miss Il.